![\"Chile](\"http:\/\/www.criplomats.com\/wp-content\/DSC_2360.jpg\")
<\/a>Chile en nogado (with pomegranate seeds on top)<\/p><\/div>\n
After a year of waiting, we finally arrived in Guadalajara – and we are not disappointed! It’s a beautiful city and everyone has been very welcoming, including our sponsors, Cindy and Raoul who met us at the airport when we arrived Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n They got us settled into our temporary digs, then took us out for grocery shopping followed by a drink on their balcony and a nice dinner out on the town.<\/span><\/p>\n Raoul and Cindy with tamarindo margaritas<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tuesday was our first day in the office – everyone seems really nice and friendly. The Consulate building is old and pretty decrepit, but it’s in a busy location downtown with lots of restaurants and a Starbucks within walking distance. My immediate boss, Pete, is a fun New Yorker who seems like he’ll be fun to work with; the other managers are nice, too.<\/span><\/p>\n Wednesday we moved into our permanent apartment in the afternoon – it’s nice to finally unpack the suitcases and know we’ll be here for a while. The apartment is lovely with a fantastic view over hole #2 of the Guadalajara Country Club<\/a>. It’s fun to watch the golfers from our balcony.<\/span><\/p>\n Balcony view<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rainbow if you look hard<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wednesday night we grabbed a taxi and braved the rain to go to a nice reception sponsored by the Guadalajara American Chamber of Commerce at a local hotel. Met some nice folks there.<\/span><\/p>\n Thursday we walked to an excellent oyster bar in the neighborhood where I had the best po’ boy I’ve ever had, along with a good cold Mexican beer.<\/span><\/p>\n The Ambassador was here for a visit on Friday. He led a town hall meeting on the Consulate’s patio, then we mid-level officers had a meeting with him afterward. <\/span><\/p>\n Old habits die hard: on Saturday, John and I went to work. John’s group actually had work to do since the fiscal year closes next week; I didn’t have so much work, although it was nice to have some quiet time in the office. We went out for lunch and then after work, grabbed a beer at a fun little outdoor spot close to the Consulate.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, Raoul and Cindy picked us up and took us to Tlaquepaque, a fun little town on the outskirts of Guadalajara. We had a good lunch with a margarita, then moseyed along looking at the little shops. Fun!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>